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. 2012:2012:387428.
doi: 10.1155/2012/387428. Epub 2012 May 23.

Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: listening to Australian women

Heather Pierce  1 , Caroline S E Homer, Hannah G Dahlen, Jenny King
Affiliations

Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: listening to Australian women

Heather Pierce et al. Nurs Res Pract. 2012.

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the prevalence and nature of lumbo-pelvic pain (LPP), that is experienced by women in the lumbar and/or sacro-iliac area and/or symphysis pubis during pregnancy. Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting. An Australian public hospital antenatal clinic.

Sample population: Women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Method. Women were recruited to the study as they presented for their antenatal appointment. A survey collected demographic data and was used to self report LPP. A pain diagram differentiated low back, pelvic girdle or combined pain. Closed and open ended questions explored the experiences of the women. Main Outcome Measures. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (Version 2.1a). Results. There was a high prevalence of self reported LPP during the pregnancy (71%). An association was found between the reporting of LPP, multiparity, and a previous history of LPP. The mean intensity score for usual pain was 6/10 and four out of five women reported disability associated with the condition. Most women (71%) had reported their symptoms to their maternity carer however only a small proportion of these women received intervention. Conclusion. LPP is a potentially significant health issue during pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The pain diagram for self-report of LBP and/or PGP.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart of participants.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of categorised VAS scores for “usual pain” across the 3 categories: LBP, PGP, and both LBP and PGP.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of categorised ODI scores across the 3 categories: LBP, PGP, and both LBP and PGP.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The relationship between pregnancy-related LPP and the four themes.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The posterior pelvic pain provocation test.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The active straight leg raise.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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